The child nodded against her shoulder, not lifting her face.
"Little girls transition just from spending time around me," Annani told Yasmin, keeping her tone light. It was a lie. The little girls transitioned with the help of a small transfusion of her blood, but that was a secret known only to Alena, Kian, and Toven.
"I thought she was already too old for that," Yasmin said uncertainly. "I thought she needed to be under two years old."
"We can give it a try." Annani smiled reassuringly. "If it works, great, and if not, she will have to wait until she is old enough for the venom bite."
She set Cyra down gently, the child immediately retreating to her mother's side but watching Annani with those too-knowing eyes of hers.
"We should go," Annani said, glancing at her Odus, who stood patiently with their purchases. "Thank you for the lovely visit. Your store is a true asset to our community."
As more customers entered, the lunch rush began in earnest. Annani made her farewells, accepting hugs from all the sisters and even managing to coax a shy wave from Cyra.
She put her protective sunglasses on before stepping outside into the midday sun, and as Ogidu helped her into the golf cart, Oridu secured their purchases in the back.
"Home, Clan Mother?" Ogidu asked as he started the electric motor.
"Yes, please." Annani reached into the pocket of her gown for her phone.
She found a message from Kalugal that had been received a couple of hours ago, probably when she was preoccupied at thestore. As she read it, she excitedly pressed on the two images he had sent her.
The first showed the bottom of a figurine with strange markings she didn't recognize, and the second...
Annani's heart seemed to stop.
The figurine depicted a young girl with delicate features and elaborately braided hair, captured in stone with loving detail.
It was Tula, Wonder's little sister. She would have recognized that face anywhere, and the artist had perfectly captured her mischievous streak and the stubborn tilt of her chin.
Memories flooded back. Tula playing along with Annani's shenanigans, much more comfortable participating than her older, more careful sister. Laughing at one of Annani's more outrageous schemes.
Tula was all grown up now, trapped with Areana in Navuh's harem on the Doomers' island, and according to Carol, she was quite a beauty. She was not Navuh's concubine, who, surprisingly, was loyal to Areana, but she was a prisoner, nonetheless, trapped in that gilded cage he had built for his mate and her ladies-in-waiting with no hope of escape.
It must have been Esag who had carved Tula so lovingly.
He had preserved her image in stone with the same loving attention he had given to Annani's likeness. Was he creating a memorial to everyone he had lost? Trying to ensure they would not be forgotten even if he believed them all dead?
The thought was so achingly touching that Annani felt tears prick at her eyes.
She quickly typed a response to Kalugal.
The figurine depicts Tula, Wonder's younger sister. This is definitely Esag's work, even though the mark at the bottom holds no meaning I can decipher.
After sending the message, she looked up to find they were nearly home. "I have changed my mind. Please take me to the café."
"Of course, mistress." Ogidu changed direction at the next path intersection.
Annani clutched her phone, staring at Tula's stone face.
How would Wonder react to seeing her sister's image captured in stone? It would be painful, certainly, but also proof that Esag had cared enough to preserve her memory. Every figurine they found was another piece of the puzzle, another step closer to finding the artist.
And if they found Esag, perhaps they would also find Khiann.
The café came into view, its outdoor seating area bustling with the lunch crowd.
When Ogidu parked the cart, the three of them stepped out and entered the enclosure. Several customers looked up, stunned to see her walking in, but Annani merely smiled and nodded, her attention focused on Wonder.
"Annani?" Wonder's hand flew to her chest. "Did they find Esag?"
